What is CFD

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a science that uses various numerical techniques to solve the fundamental equations governing fluid flow processes, involving pollution dispersion, heat transfer, phase change, chemical reaction and many other associated phenomena.

Parallel to experimental fluid dynamics and theoretical fluid dynamics, CFD constitutes the third approach in the philosophical study and development of the discipline of the fluid dynamics. It is a powerful research and design tool, widely used in various disciplines and industries providing information on important flow characteristics such as pressure loss, flow distribution and mixing rates.

Why use CFD

CFD enables detailed analyse of air flow within and around buildings. Designers can undertake a series of studies to review different design ideas allowing relative evaluation of options leading to optimisation of the design.

Some CFD models developed in BM for design studies

• Thermal Flue/Double Facade
  
• Optimising Wind Scoops
  
• Ventilating An Atrium with Diffussers
  

  ---

Thermal Flue Study

CFD was used to study air flow movement and temperature distribution within a thermal flue of the Martini Tower, a 38-storey office building. This study shows that the inner glass can be cooled by the flow supplied from a vent between the wall and a texture blinds which guides the flow. It also shows that the cool air extracted from the office at each level is about the amount to balance the heat gained from the solar radiation through the external glass wall. The graphics show the predicted flow pattern and temperature field in floor 17.

Back to the Top

Optimising Design of A Wind Scoop

Back to the Top

Ventilating an Atrium with Diffusers

Back to the Top